Monday prayer & verses (03 05 2010)

Thought for the day

One day a gentleman walked into one of Ben Franklin's book stores. As one of the clerks went to assist him, the gentleman asked the clerk the price of the book he wished to purchase. The young clerk looked at the price posted on the book and said, "That book is one dollar, sir."

The gentleman began to haggle with the clerk over the price. The clerk assured him that the correct price for the book was one dollar and no lower. As the man realized that his efforts to haggle with the clerk were going nowhere, he insisted on speaking with Ben Franklin directly.

Franklin stopped his work, walked out to the storefront and the gentleman asked, "What is the price of this book?"

Franklin answered, "One dollar and a quarter."

The gentleman was confused and replied, "Your clerk just said it was a dollar."

Franklin looked at the book again and answered, "Yes, it was a dollar. But now you're wasting my time."

Chances are you have haggled over the price of something. Maybe you've haggled over the price of a new (or used) car. Maybe you've gone to yard sales or flea markets and haggled over some treasure you discovered. In some countries, you are expected to haggle over much of what you buy in the stores.

So, I wonder if you've ever haggled with God. I wonder if you've ever thought that God's expectations are too high, and you've tried to get God to lower his "price." I'm reminded of the rich young ruler who had a conversation with Jesus about what he must do to inherit eternal life (Luke 18:23). Though he had done much, Jesus said that one more thing was required: "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Luke 18:22). The response of the young man is sad. He turned and walked away, "for he was very rich."

What strikes me about that passage is that there is no room for haggling with Jesus. When this young man walked away, Jesus didn't go running after him and say, "No, wait, maybe I was asking a bit too much. Let's renegotiate." No, Jesus demands our all. All that we have. All that we are. He will not settle for any less. The price is not negotiable, so don't waste God's time trying to haggle with Him.

Verses

Romans 4:21

giving God credit for being able to carry out his end of the bargain.

John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Matthew 18:19

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say to you, That whatsoever ye shall pray and ask for, believe that it will be, and it will be to you.

1 Corinthians 1:5

in him you have received a wealth of all blessing, full power to speak of your faith and full insight into its meaning,

Prayer

Jesus, we know that Satan is a thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” and millions fall victim to his enticements. You created us to have an emotional desire for physical and sexual intimacy and in Your perfect plan it is to be fulfilled in a marriage covenant. Knowing our inclination to sin, help us to carefully lay boundary lines where we are not feeding lust but are eliminating this destructive force in our lives. We desire purity and holiness as we daily pursue Your righteousness. Forgive us where we have resented, ignored, or disobeyed Your truths in this area of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.